The Atlanta Falcons have been docked a fifth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft while president Rich McKay has been suspended from the competition committee after they were found to have piped crowd noise into the Georgia Dome.

A statement from the NFL's Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent read: "The Atlanta Falcons have acknowledged the use of pre-recorded crowd noise in violation of NFL rules during home games throughout the 2013 season and into the 2014 season until the club was notified last November that the violation had been identified.

"The rule states that "at no point during the game can artificial crowd noise or amplified crowd noise be played in the stadium." Based on the full record, the Falcons have been fined $350,000 and will forfeit their fifth-round selection in the 2016 Draft. If the Falcons have multiple picks in that round, the highest selection will be forfeited.

"Our review concluded that Roddy White, the team's former director of event marketing, was directly responsible for the violation. Mr White would have been suspended without pay for the first eight weeks of the 2015 regular season had he still been with the club.

"If Mr White obtains employment with another NFL team during the 2015 season, he may be required to serve some or all of this suspension.

"Our review also determined that Falcons ownership and senior executives, including team President Rich McKay, were unaware of Mr White's use of an audio file with artificial crowd noise.

"However, Mr McKay, as the senior club executive overseeing game operations, bears some responsibility for ensuring that team employees comply with league rules.

"As a result, Mr McKay will be suspended from the competition committee beginning April 1. He may petition Commissioner [Roger] Goodell for reinstatement to the committee no sooner than June 30.

"We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation the Falcons organisation extended during our inquiry."

Owner Arthur Blank, who has previously described the violation as "embarrassing", has been quick to respond to the news.

In a statement he said: "What took place was wrong and nowhere near the standards by which we run our business. Anytime there are actions that compromise the integrity of the NFL or threaten the culture of our franchise, as this issue did, they will be dealt with swiftly and strongly.

"The league conducted a thorough investigation of this matter, and we co-operated fully. We understand the penalties imposed and their impact on our team, and we will not appeal the league's decisions. Further, we have addressed the matter internally and taken actions to ensure that something like this does not happen again.

"The Falcons and all of our other businesses are built upon a foundation of values that drive our decision making. This issue was a clear failure in that regard. I apologise for any embarrassment this situation has caused the NFL, our fans, and our Falcons players and associates."